In what was called a “weak” quarterback draft class, it was in fact the quarterbacks that stole headlines anyway. Three Quarterbacks drafted inside the top 12. In addition, all three quarterbacks were traded up for by their selecting teams. But now the draft is over and we prepare for the NFL and Fantasy season.
With the NFL draft behind us, it is now time to turn our attention to the upcoming fantasy football season. In the near future, many leagues will start drafting in their rookie, dynasty and redraft leagues. We rank the top rookies from each skill position (RB, WR, TE, QB) and give brief synopsis of how they should be viewed heading into your drafts. Rookie impacts are generated based on player skill, opportunity, situation and projected team performance. While our rankings below can be used for all formats, we will rank them primarily for the 2017 season and a separate dynasty rankings will soon follow.
2017 Fantasy Impact: Running Backs
2017 Fantasy Impact: Tight Ends
2017 Fantasy Impact: Wide Receivers
1. Deshaun Watson, QB, HOU
He may have been the third quarterback selected, but he’s at the top of our list here. Unlike Trubisky and Mahomes, and despite what the Texans are saying, Watson should be under center week 1. Houston spent a lot of draft capital to move up to 12 from 25, and they also gave up picks just to get rid of Brock Osweiler. He was the most NFL-ready quarterback in this class and has the best chance to be on the field the most this season out of this quarterback class. Houston is a Super Bowl contending team and Watson will have a decent line, good receivers and hopefully an improved running game to help them get there.
2. Mitchell Trubisky, QB, CHI
I’ve discussed in my mock drafts that I didn’t feel any of these quarterbacks were day 1 franchise type players, but that didn’t stop any of the the teams from trading up to get them. That includes Trubisky, who the Bears gave up valuable picks to move up just one spot. I felt it would take the right spot for Trubisky to succeed, under an established veteran. The Bears must believe that Mike Glennon is that guy. Trubisky could develop into a nice player, but I’m not seeing it for 2017. I’m not even sure he sees the field in Chicago unless there is an injury to Glennon, but his overall dynasty value is much better than his 2017 outlook.
3. Patrick Mahomes II, QB, KC
Just like Trubisky, it will probably take an injury or disastrous play from Alex Smith for Mahomes to see real game action for the Chiefs. He has the arm strength to be an NFL quarterback, but his mechanics need a lot of work. Often time, you would see him throwing off-balanced and off his back foot, but he still seemed to get the ball in tight places. Many across the industry have compared him to Brett Favre with his gun-slinger type approach, and who else would know about that than the Chiefs Head Coach, Andy Reid. Make no mistake, Smith is the starting quarterback for this team, but with a 17 million dollar option in 2018, Mahomes could be given the keys as early as next season.
4. DeShone Kizer, QB, CLE
Perhaps we’ll never know whether or not the Browns really wanted Trubisky. Were they the “other team” San Francisco was having discussions with about a move back? Apparently they didn’t like Watson enough to pull the trigger on him with the 12th pick, instead moving all the way back to 25 for what should be late 1st round pick in 2018. Regardless, they were able to get Kizer with the 52nd overall pick instead. It’s a great move if they had Kizer ranked close enough to Watson to take the gamble. Kizer is going to compete for the starting job this season, and I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t get it with only Cody Kessler to beat. Kizer has more talent than Kessler but needs a lot of developing too. But seriously, what do the Browns have to lose?
5. Joshua Dobbs, QB, PIT
The aeronautical engineering major not only has the brains, but he has the athleticism and leadership qualities to be an NFL quarterback. But does he have the skill set? At this point probably not, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t get there. He shouldn’t see the field at all this year playing behind Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones, but he’s just one evident Roethlisberger injury away from being the backup. Being in Pittsburgh is a good situation for Dobbs to be in. He’ll be able to learn from a good coaching staff and from a Super Bowl champion before possibly getting the opportunity to lead the Steelers. Roethlisberger seems to be on the Brett Favre “year to year” plan at this point in his career and there is very good possibility this season will be his last. Dobbs is high on this list because of that reason. If he does indeed take over for Big Ben, he will be given one of the best offenses in football to work with, and there is definitely fantasy value in that. While he’s not worth the add or stash in redraft leagues (unless there is a Landry Jones injury in training camp/pre-season), he does have value in rookie and dynasty drafts.
6. C.J Beathard, QB, SF
A lot of raised eyebrows when the Niners selected Beathard in the 3rd round, ahead of Nathan Peterman, Davis Webb, and Joshua Dobbs. After the draft, Kyle Shanahan compared his draftee to one of his former players, Kirk Cousins. While its still very possible that Cousins ends up in San Francisco after the season, it is not out of the question that Beathard actually starts some games for them in 2017. Beathard will enter season with only Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley ahead of him on the depth chart.
7. Chad Kelly, DEN, QB
John Elway didn’t let Jim Kelly’s nephew go undrafted. Rather than letting him field offers as an undrafted free agent, Elway made Chad Mr. Irrelevant with pick #253. The last pick in the draft. Chad Kelly slipped this far because of multiple issues. Character issues a big part of the issues. Having been suspended in high school, Kelly was thrown off the Clemson squad and then arrested at a Buffalo nightclub (disorderly conduct) after attending a community college for a year. Injuries are another reason why the Ole Miss quarterback almost went without being selected. He has had two ACL tears in his right knee and then hurt his throwing wrist at his pro day, leading to surgery and the inability to throw a ball for 3 months. From a talent standpoint, he has the tools to be an NFL quarterback but needs to refine his footwork and decision making. With Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch ahead of him on the depth chart, he shouldn’t see this field this season or ever for the Denver Broncos. Elway did his friend Jim Kelly and his nephew a favor and will give him the opportunity to rehab and then showcase for other NFL teams in need of a QB.
8. Nathan Peterman, QB, BUF
Peterman joins Tyrod Taylor and Cardale Jones as the Bills quarterbacks. The Bills very well could move on from Taylor after the season, but that doesn’t mean that Peterman is going to be the “next guy up” If they felt really strongly about Peterman, they would’ve drafted him earlier than the 5th round. I see Peterman as someone that can have a nice long NFL career as backup quarterback. If the Bills move on from Taylor it will be because they didn’t win many games, which would put them in the position to draft one of the more talented quarterbacks in next years draft.
9. Davis Webb, QB, NYG
With Eli Manning getting up there in age (36) and having an ineffective season a year ago, the Giants made Webb their 3rd round pick. Webb will open the season as their 3rd string quarterback behind Eli and Geno Smith. I do like the situation for Webb, being able to learn from 2-time Super Bowl Champion, Eli Manning, but how long will he be sitting? Manning has never missed a start and hasn’t openly talked about retiring. Do the Giants keep Webb around long enough for the end of Manning, or will be drafting another QB in a few years? I would’t waste a spot on Webb unless Eli comes out and says that this or next season will be his last.
10. Brad Kaaya, QB, DET
I thought Kaaya would be drafted before the 6th round in this past draft. He’s a big kid and has the chance to be the backup to Stafford right away. However, Stafford has been playing well and seems to put his “injury prone” status to bed, so the chances of Kaaya seeing the field are slim. In the event he does have to play, I don’t think his skill set is ready for full-time NFL work.
Keeper/Dynasty Rankings
- Deshaun Watson
- Patrick Mahomes
- DeShone Kizer
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Joshua Dobbs
- CJ. Beathard
- Nathan Peterman
- Davis Webb
- Chad Kelly
- Brad Kaaya
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